Treatment of hot metal rods



March 30, 1954 M. MORGAN 2,673,820

TREATMENT OF HOT METAL RODS Original Filed Feb. 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

MYLES MORGA N ATTORNEY March 30, 1954 M. MORGAN 2,673,320

TREATMENT OF HOT METAL RODS Original Filed Feb. 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY v ATTORNEY Marh 30, 1954 M. MORGAN 2,673,820

TREATMENT OF HOT METAL RODS Original Filed Feb. 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J INVENTOR. 57 5G 5G Mass MORGAN March 30, 1954 I MORGAN 2,673,820

TREATMENT OF HOT METAL RODS Original Filed Feb. 7, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Mnas NOR GA/y ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 30, 1954 TREATMENT OF HOT METAL RODS Myles Morgan, Worcester, Mass, assignor to Morgan Construction Company, Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Original application February 7, 1950, Serial No. 142,908. Divided and this application Decem ber 22, 1950, Serial No. 202,371

3 Claims.

This invention relates to the treatment of hot metal rods, and more particularly to a method whereby hot rods delivered by a rolling mill may be coiled into bundles and at the same time be rapidly reduced in temperature. This application is a division of my application Serial No. 142,908, filed February 7, 1950, now Patent No. 2,621,914.

It is a common practice in this art to coil the red hot rods which leave the rolling mill into annular bundles which are transferred to a conveyor. The bundles are allowed to cool as they are carried along by the conveyor. During the appreciable time required for such cooling, the bundles are fully exposed to the atmosphere. As a result considerable scale forms on the rods, and this scale has to be removed by means of acid treatment before the rods can be drawn into wire. When the rods are made of high carbon steel, slow cooling is particularly undesirable since it results in decarburization of the steel. I It is accordingly one object of the invention to provide a method for cooling hot metal rods with such rapidity as to minimize the formation of scale thereon.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simple and inexpensive method whereby hot metal rods may be coiled into annular bundles and at the same time cooled so rapidly as to avoid appreciable scale formation.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the steps of the process set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

In accordance with the invention a hot metal rod is formed into an annular bundle having loosely intermingled convolutions so that the bundle is permeable, and while the bundle is being formcd a stream of relatively cool air is caused to flow therethrough. Preferably the bundle is formed about an upright axis, and the air flows upwardly through the central opening in the bundle and thence downwardly through the bundle itself.

Referring to the drawings illustrating one form of apparatus for use in practicing the in vention and in which like reference numerals indicate like parts,

Fig. l is an elevation of a reel and an associated rod bundle conveyor, the reel parts being in the positions required for forming a bundle;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but with the reel parts in the positions required for discharging a bundle;

Fig. 3 is a section taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 3, but with the reel parts in the positions required for discharging a bundle; and

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings there is shown a reel Ill arranged to form hot metal rod into annular bundles and to discharge such bundles on to a conveyor ll of well-known construction. This conveyor comprises a horizontal top plate l2 having two longitudinally extending parallel slots H! in its upper surface (Figs. 4 and 5). Two parallel endless chains is travel beneath the respective slots and carry dogs I6 which project upwardly through the slots. The dogs on the respective chains are arranged in laterally aligned pairs, so that each pair of dogs may engage an annular rod bundle B and push it along the plate I 2.

The particular reel to illustrated is of the general type known in the art as a laying reel, such reels being arranged to receive a longitudinally traveling hot metal rod and to bend the rod into a series of superimposed and loosely intermixed stationary generally circular convolutions which form an annular bundle. This reel comprises a hollow base structure I 8 located at one side of the conveyor I0 and supporting a horizontal plate l9, the top of this plate being substantially flush with the top of the conveyor plate l2. Above the plate I9 there are provided two upright wall members 20 and 2 I, each curved horizontally in substantially a semi-circular arc, the two members jointly forming a complete cylindrical wall as shown in Fig. 5. The rear wall member 20 is suitably fastened in a fixed position to the plate I}! therebeneath, whereas the front wall member 2| forms a gate which may be raised above the plate I9, as will be explained hereinafter, to permit discharge of a complete rod bundle from the reel to the conveyor. A hollow cylindrical drum 23 is mounted within the cylindrical wall formed by the members 29-2l and coaxial therewith, the drum being somewhat smaller in diameter than the said wall to provide an annular trough 24 (Fig. 3) therebetween having a portion of the plate l9 as its bottom wall. This portion of the plate l9 is rovided with openings 2-5 extending therethrough. The plate I9 is also formed with a central circular opening 26 very slightly exceeding the drum 23 in diameter so that the drum may be drawn downwardly therethrough to permit discharge of a rod bundle, as will be described hereinafter. The drum is provided at its upper end with a horizontal wall 21 having openings 28 extending therethrough.

On the top of the wall member 29 there is mounted a irusto-conical cap or closure 30 which in turn supports a gear box 3| from which the tapered lower end of the vertical rotatable shaft 32 extends downwardly toward the drum 23 and coaxial therewith. This gear box is of the u ual construction employed in laying reels, and it contains suitable bevel gearing connecting an electric motor 34 to the shaft 32 to drive the same. The usual revoluble coiler or guide 35 is secured to the lower end of the shaft 32 by a wedge 33, and the usual vertical guide pipe 31 enters the top of the gear box 3| in alignment with the shaft 32. These parts are so constructed and arranged, in accordance with well-l'nown practice, that a hot metal rod may travel downwardly through the pipe B'i'anl the gear box 3!, and the revolving coiler 35 will lay the rod in the annular trough 24 in the form of superimpo ed generally circular convolut ons. These con'o'utions will be so loosely interm ngled as to provide a permeable annular bundle.

T he apparatus illustrated includes means to bring about a flow of relativel cool air through the bundle while it is being formed, thereby cooling the bundle with comparative ra idity and avoid ng excessve scale formation on the rod. For th s purpose the h llow base structure 18 is shaped to provide a lenum chamber 39 which communicates directly with the open lower end of the drum 23. further to provide an annular 1 chamber 49 located beneath the plate i9 and communicating directl with the openngs 2" therein. As shown in Fig. 3- a fan M is arranged to blow air through a duct 62 leading to an "ening 44 in one wall of the plenum chamber this duct having a damper 45 therein. A second duct i6 is connected to an opening 4'! in one wall of the annular chamber ell. These parts are so constructed and arranged that h le a bundle is being formed the fan 4! will blow air throu-h the duct 42 and the opening t4 into the 'hamber 39. This air will flow up 'ardly through the drum 23 and the revolving coiler 35. The air will thereupon be diverted by the cap 31 and compelle to flow do nwardly through the bundle and the openings 25 into the annular chamber 46, and thence outwardly through the open ng 4" into the duct 46. B flo ing in contact with the hot rod and absorbing h at therefrom the air will become heated. The duct 46 may serve to conduct the hot air out of the building in warm weather, whereas in cold weather this air may aid in heating the building if desired.

In order to permit stripping of a completed bundle from the reel, mechanism is provided to lower the drum 2-3 to bring its upper end substantially flush with the surrounding plate I9, as shown in Fig. 4. For this purpose a substantially horizontal bar 49 extends diametrically across the lower end of the drum, and from the central portion of this bar two hori ontally spaced vertical struts 50 (Fig. 3) extend downwardly to a lower horizontal bar 5!. The end rortion of the lower bar are provided with circular open ngs 52, and the up er bar at is provided with two circular openings 53 which are vertically aligned with the respective openings 52. Two vertical pipes 55 extend through the openings 52 and 53 to guide the drum 23 as it is moved upwardly or downwardly, the lower ends of these pipes being mounted in 4 pipe flanges 56 secured to the bottom wall of the chamber 39. Several thin rings 5'! surround the lower portions of the pipes 55 to serve as abutments limiting downward movement of the bar 51. By removing or adding rings, the abutments can be adjusted. For actuation of the drum 23 there is provided a double-acting hydraulic motor or cylinder 59 (Fig. 1) having a reciprocable piston rod 60 which is connected by a link 6| to the lower end of a lever 62, this lever being keyed to one end of a horizontal shaft 63 which is rotatably mounted in the rear portion of the base structure (3 and extends through the plenum chamber 39 in a direction parallel with the conveyor ll. As shown in Fig. 4, the rear end of an arm 65 is keyed to the shaft 63 within the chamber 39, and the front end of this arm extends between the struts 50 and carries a transverse pin Efi from which two links 6'! depend. The lower ends of these links are provided with slots 68 through which a transverse pin 69 extends, the ends of this pin being supported in the struts 50. When the arm 65 is lowered as shown n Fig, 4, the slots 658 will permit the bar 5| to est upon the abutment rings 51.

The motor 59 serves not only to actuate the drum 23 but also to raise and lower the semicircular gate 2! which forms the front wall of the annular trough 24. For this purpose, two pins TI proect from opposite sides of the upper portion of the gate 2|, and two pins 12 project from oppoite sides of the lower portion of the gate, the pins 72 being directly beneath the corresponding pins H. The upper pins H engage slots '13 in the front ends of two arms 15 located on opposite sides of the reel, the rear ends of these arms being pivotally connected to the rear portion of the cap 30 by pins 16. The lower pins 2 engage slots T7 in the front ends of two arms 8 located on opposite sides of the reel, the rear ends of these arms being connected to the rear portion of the rear wall member 20 by pins 19. The slots l3 and H are inclined downwardly and forwardly. The front portion of each upper arm 75 is connected to the corresponding lower arm 18 therebeneath by a vertical link 8|. The pins T9 are located directly beneath the pins 76, and the vertical spacing of these pins is the same as the vertical spacing of the pins '|l'l2. On the rear end of each lower arm 18 there is provided a rearwarcll and downwardly extending arm 83 which is connected by a link 84 to the upper end of an arm 85. The arms 85 are keyed to the corresponding ends of the shaft 63, and the arm 85 adiacent the lever 62 may conveniently be formed integral therewith. These various parts are so constructed and arranged that as the motor 59 turns the shaft 63 in a clockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. l to that shown in Fig. 2 (as required to lower the central drum 23 of the reel) the arms i5 and 18 will raise the gate 2|. When the gate is in its lowermost position as shown in Fig. l, the slots 13 and TI permit the gate to rest upon the plate I9 therebeneath and yet hold it closely against the adjacent portions of the wall member 20. As the arms 15 and 18 start to move upwardly, the slots 13 and ll, because of their inclination, will move the gate slightly forwardl and out of contact with the wa l member 2%! before raising the gate.

Once the gate 2| has been raised, and the drum 23 has been lowered simultaneously, the completed and cooled bundle B can be pushed forwardly beneath the raised gate on to the conveyor II. This may be accomplished by means of two laterally spaced parallel horizontal pusher rods 81 of well-known construction which extend at right angles with the conveyor and are slidable through slots 88 in the stationary wall member 20. These rods may be actuated in known manner by means of upright arms 89 connected to the rear ends of the rods.

The operation of the apparatus will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. With the drum 23 raised and the gate 2| lowered, the reel in will be in condition to receive a hot metal rod which will travel downwardly through the pipe 3 The revolving guide 35 will lay the rod in generally circular superimposed convolutions within the trough 24 to form an annular bundle. With the damper 45 open the fan 4! will blow relatively cool air through the duct 42 into the chamber 39, thence upwardly through the drum 23 and the openings 28 in its upper wall, thence outwardly and downwardly through the bundle .i

as it is being formed, and thence downwardly through the openings 25 into the annular chamber 4|) and outwardly through the duct 46. Thus a considerable cooling of the bundle will take place during its formation. Upon completion of the bundle, the motor 59 will be energized to turn the shaft 63 as required to lower the arm 65 and the drum 23, while at the same time raising the arms 15 and 18 with the gate H. The pusher rods 81 may then be actuated to push the bundle forwardly on to the conveyor II as indicated in Fig. 4. If desired, the damper 45 can be closed during the discharge of the bundle to stop the air flow, although this may not always be considered necessary. Upon withdrawal'of the pusher rods 81, and energization of the motor 59 to raise the drum 23 and lower the gate 2|, the reel will be ready to receive and coil another rod.

By cooling the rod promptly and rapidly while it is being formed into a bundle, the invention -f,

greatly reduces scale formation on the rod; hence less acid is required for cleaning the bundles, and the loss in weight of the bundles is less. In the case of high carbon steel, decarburization is avoided. Since the bundles reach the conveyor H at a lower temperature, they may be transferred soon thereafter to the usual hook carrier without danger of distortion, hence the conveyor may be appreciably shorter than would otherwise be required.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method of treating a hot ferrous metal rod above the critical temperature comprising the steps of bending the rod into a series of generally circular convolutions which are loosely intermingled to form a permeable annular bundle, adding convolutions in the direction of the axis so that the bundle gradually increases in size in a direction parallel with its axis, and causing relatively cool air to flow upwardly through the space in the center of the bundle and then downwardly through the convolutions of the bundle, while it is being formed, in a direction generally opposed to that in which the increase in size is taking place.

2. The method of treating a longitudinally traveling hot ferrous metal rod comprising the steps of guiding the rod while above the critical temperature in a downward path, laying the portion of the rod below said path in a generally horizontal circular path to form a series of generally circular superimposed stationary convolutions which are loosely intermingled to provide a permeable annular bundle, and blowing relatively cool air upwardly through the space at the center of the bundle and then downwardly through the convolutions of the bundle while it is being formed.

3. A method of cooling ferrous rods which comprises taking a hot rolled rod after it leaves the finishing roll pass at a temperature at least as high as the critical range, passing the rod into a coil-forming apparatus, forming the rod. into an annular coil, passing air substantially at room temperature upwardly through the center of the coil during coiling, preventing passage of the air radially outwardly through the coil, causing the air flow to reverse in the space over the coil, and causing the air to pass downwardly through the coil itself.

MYLES MORGAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 854,810 Daniels May 28, 1907 2,516,248 OBrien July 25, 1950 

1. THE METHOD OF TREATING A HOT FERROUS METAL ROD ABOVE THE CRITICAL TEMPERATURE COMPRISING THE STEPS OF BENDING THE ROD INTO A SERIES OF GENERALLY CIRCULAR CONVOLUTIONS WHICH ARE LOOSELY INTERMINGLED TO FORM A PERMEABLE ANNULAR BUNDLE, ADDING CONVOLUTIONS IN THE DIRECTION OF THE AXIS SO THAT THE BUNDLE GRADUALLY INCREASES IN SIZE IN A DIRECTION PARALLEL WITH ITS AXIS, AND CAUSING RELA- 